A patient safety initiative funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has reduced the rate of central line-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units by 40 percent, according to an AHRQ press release.

According to the press release, the project used the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program to achieve these results. CUSP is a customizable program that helps hospital units address the foundation of how clinical teams care for patients. It combines clinical best practices with an understanding of the science of safety, improved safety culture, and an increased focus on teamwork. There are over 1100 ICUs participating nationwide in 44 states.

Preliminary findings indicate that hospitals participating in this project reduced the rate of CLABSIs nationally from 1.903 infections per 1,000 central line days to 1.137 infections per 1,000 line days, an overall reduction of 40 percent.